Tag: California State Budget

Hundreds of Disability Advocates Gathered at the Keep the Promise Rally in Sacramento

Last week, on May 22, more than 600 disability advocates gathered at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to participate in a powerful Keep the Promise Rally. Organized by The Lanterman Coali­tion, the event brought together individuals from across the state to voice their concerns about potential budget cuts threatening crucial services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The rally featured an inspiring lineup of speakers from the disability community, including three legislative champions—Senators Tim Grayson, Shannon Grove, Suzette Valladares —who reaffirmed their commitment to defending disability programs. Attendees also heard heartfelt stories from self-advocates, parents, caregivers, and direct support professionals, emphasizing the importance of preserving funding to ensure that vulnerable populations continue to receive essential care as promised in The Lanterman Act of 1969.

In case you missed, FOX 40 News aired a story about the rally and shed light on why disability advocacy leaders are very concerned about the serious threats in both the federal and state budget proposals to make historic cuts to funding for programs such as Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Medicare, food assistance programs and regional center services that millions of people rely on to live full and equitable lives.

We want to acknowledge Futures Explored for providing professional video and photography services at the event.

  • Click HERE to view photos
  • Click HERE to view videos

Thank you to Momentum Refresh for bringing a mobile unit from Los Angeles area to the Capitol for an accessible restroom experience.

In summary, the rally underscores the urgent need for continued advocacy to protect the lifeline of services for 500,000 Californians with disabilities and their families.

Let’s keep demonstrating the power of our collective voice and demand our elected officials KEEP THE PROMISE! Join the effort, and click HERE to visit the action alert.

El Arc de California Responds to Governor’s Budget Targeting Immigrant Families

El Arc de California, the state’s leading coalition of Latino disability advocacy organizations, is deeply alarmed by Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Revise of the state budget proposal, which threatens to reverse California’s progress on health equity by targeting undocumented individuals with disabilities and their caregivers—many of them Latino.

The proposal would freeze enrollment into full-scope Medi-Cal for undocumented adults over the age of 19, impose a $100/month premium on those already enrolled, and eliminate access to critical services such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), dental care, and long-term care benefits.

This proposal strikes at the heart of California’s immigrant communities and directly harms families already facing disproportionate barriers in accessing disability services.

“Latino immigrant families are the backbone of our communities. Stripping their access to IHSS and essential health services is not just fiscally short-sighted—it is morally unacceptable,” said Joe Perales, Director of El Arc de California.

In recent years, California has made historic strides in expanding Medi-Cal to cover all income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status, recognizing that health care is a human right. These changes provided lifelines for undocumented families caring for children and adults with disabilities—many of whom rely on IHSS to ensure safety, dignity, and care at home.

This budget proposal would walk back that progress, leaving thousands of undocumented individuals—many of them essential workers and caregivers—without access to the services that keep their families afloat.

We call on the Governor and the Legislature to:

  • Reject proposals that roll back Medi-Cal access for undocumented Californians.
  • Protect IHSS, dental, and long-term care benefits for all Medi-Cal recipients.
  • Uphold California’s promise of equity and inclusion for immigrant and Latino communities.
  • Include disability justice in every budget decision—because no person with a disability should be left behind due to immigration status.

The proposed cuts violate the values we share as Californians. At El Arc de California, we believe that every person—regardless of immigration status—deserves access to care, support, and opportunity. We will not stand by as immigrant families are pushed out of the very systems they helped build and support.

“We stand in solidarity with California’s undocumented community—especially the thousands of Latino families raising children and adults with developmental disabilities. These proposed cuts erase years of progress toward equitable health access and place an unjust burden on families already marginalized by the system,” Said Grace Huerta, Vice President of The Arc of California Board of Directors, and Chair of the El Arc de California Advisory Committee

We need advocates and allies to speak up, and use the power of their voice. Here are two ways you can join us in opposing these unjust budget proposals:

  1. Email or call your assembly member and senator urging them to reject this budget proposal: Click HERE to find your legislator.
  2. Share your story with us, by emailing info@thearcca.org

State Budget Enters Final Countdown with Hearings this Week

The California state budget process will conclude this week after months of hearings and negotiations between the State Assembly, State Senate, and Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration. With a projected $30 billion shortfall this coming fiscal year, advocates and policymakers have had to fight to protect funding for state programs, including services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Negotiations thus far have kept the vast majority of disability services protected from cuts or delays, including regional center services, IHSS, Medi-Cal, and SSI/SSP. In the final hearings this week, however, the Assembly and Senate will vote on the budget that the Legislature sends to the Governor before the state constitutional deadline of June 15th.

Members of the community can watch and give public comment at both hearings:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023 – 9:00 AM

VIEW LIVE SENATE HEARING: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023 – 10:00 AM

VIEW LIVE ASSEMBLY HEARING: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents

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